THE MARION
HERALD

As with all the other early Marion County Records,
even though it appears The Marion Herald began publication in
April 1885, the early editions were destroyed in the court house
fire that occured in early 1887. The following are the
remaining editions that have been microfilmed. The Marion
Herald ended publication with the May 8, 1890 issue, when its name
was changed to "The Hamilton Times."

AFTER THE MAY 8, 1890 ISSUE, THE MARION
HERALD CHANGED ITS NAME AND CONTINUED UNDER THE NAME OF "THE HAMILTON
TIMES"

From the front page of the microfilm from the Alabama
Department of Archives and History:

"Like most Marion County newspapers, The Marion
Herald (or Marion County Herald, as it was frequently entitled) went
through several changes in ownership and was edited for a time by J.
S. CLEMENTS. W. T. GAST, on retiring in October 1889 referred
to having managed the paper's fortunes for five years. Another
of his editors was DANIEL WILLIAMS, who served during CLEMENTS brief
hiatus as owner of The Guin Dispatch (Sept. 1889 -Jan. 1890)
sic (**NOTE THE DATES WERE ACTUALLY SEPT 1888 - FEB
1889)****. By May, 1890, CLEMENTS and GAST'S
successor, L. J. CLARK had moved on to The Hamilton Times. It
is not known whether the Herald managed to carry on without them.

More complete bibliographic information on The Marion Herald and
other Marion County titles may be found in newspaper project files
at the Alabama Department of Archives and History"

TO OUR READERSWith this issue we assume control
of the columns of the Herald. In the future, as in the past,
the paper will be a strictly democratic paper, and will at all times
do its utmost to advance the every interest of the Democratic party,
of the farmer, of the manufacturer, of the laborer, in whatever work
he may be engaged, and in fact any and all enterprises that tend to
the development of the vast resources of our state and county.
Having become a citizen of Alabama when quite a youth, and having
been engaged in the newspaper business in North Alabama since a mere
boy, we feel that any apology for assuming control of the Herald
would be unnecessary. With this we present to you our first
issue of the Herald, and promise that, with your assistance, we will
make each succeeding number better than the last, until the Herald
shall be second to no country paper in the state. DANIEL
WILLIAMS -

MARION HERALD, OCT. 31, 1889

VALEDICTORY - With this issue of the Herald we greet
our readers for the last time. We have been before the people for
the past five years as manager and while we have not received at all
times the encouragement essential to the growth and welfare of a
county paper, we are pleased to say that enough friends have stood
by us until the paper is now a firmly established and paying
institution. We do not relinquish the paper through lack of proper
support but solely from other motives best known to ourselves, and
in which the public could have no interest. We feel safe in saying
that the new management will spare no effort to make the paper well
worthy the support of every county loving citizen of Marion, and
will endeavor by every means in their power to advance the interests
of the county and its citizens. Politically the paper has ever been
an outspoken and fearless advocate for the cause of democracy, and
we take pleasure in informing our readers and patrons that such it
will continue to be under the control of the new management. All
unexpired contracts, both in subscription and advertising, will be
promptly filled as though no transfer had been made. With many
sincere thanks to those of our friends who have stood by us and the
paper from the date of its earliest infancy to the present and with
no enmity or ill will to those who have not, we make our politest
bow and step down and out. Respectfully, W. T. GAST

MARION HERALD, MAY 8, 1890

A NEW NAME

The Herald will greet its readers under a new name on
next week. There may be nothing in a name after all, but, for
reasons best known to ourselves, we make the change. The paper
will henceforth appear as the Hamilton Times.